Bjorn Lomborg: Climate-Change Misdirection - WSJ.com
"This does not mean that climate change isn't an issue.
It means that exaggerating the threat concentrates resources in the wrong areas.
Consider hurricanes (though similar points hold for wildfire and drought).
If the aim is to reduce storm damage, then first focus on resilience—better building codes and better enforcement of those codes.
Ending subsidies for hurricane insurance to discourage building in vulnerable zones would also help, as would investing in better infrastructure (from stronger levees to higher-capacity sewers).
These solutions are quick and comparatively cheap.
Most important, they would diminish future hurricane damage, whether climate-induced or not.
Had New York and New Jersey focused resources on building sea walls and adding storm doors to the subway system and making simple fixes like porous pavements, Hurricane Sandy would have caused much less damage."
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The 25 Best Quotes From Thomas Sowell
The 25 Best Quotes From Thomas Sowell - John Hawkins
[page]:
"3) "Weighing benefits against costs is the way most people make decisions — and the way most businesses make decisions, if they want to stay in business.
Only in government is any benefit, however small, considered to be worth any cost, however large."
2) "In short, killing the goose that lays the golden egg is a viable political strategy, so long as the goose does not die before the next election and no one traces the politicians’ fingerprints on the murder weapon."
3) "There are no solutions; there are only trade-offs.""
[page]:
"3) "Weighing benefits against costs is the way most people make decisions — and the way most businesses make decisions, if they want to stay in business.
Only in government is any benefit, however small, considered to be worth any cost, however large."
2) "In short, killing the goose that lays the golden egg is a viable political strategy, so long as the goose does not die before the next election and no one traces the politicians’ fingerprints on the murder weapon."
3) "There are no solutions; there are only trade-offs.""
Davos divided on tackling the scourge of obesity
Davos divided on tackling the scourge of obesity | Reuters
"business leaders meeting in Davos can't agree on what they can or should do to address it."
"business leaders meeting in Davos can't agree on what they can or should do to address it."
Big Government 101: Federal Subsidies Create Glut Of College Grads
Big Government 101: Federal Subsidies Create Glut Of College Grads - Investors.com
"A new study finds almost half of Americans with college degrees are working at jobs that don't require one.
It's the latest example of how federal subsidies are creating a massive higher-education bubble.
The study, by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, found that an incredible 48% of college graduates — about 13 million of them — hold jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree.
About 5 million have jobs that don't even require a high school diploma."
"A new study finds almost half of Americans with college degrees are working at jobs that don't require one.
It's the latest example of how federal subsidies are creating a massive higher-education bubble.
The study, by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, found that an incredible 48% of college graduates — about 13 million of them — hold jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree.
About 5 million have jobs that don't even require a high school diploma."
Stuck in Reverse, Detroit Edges Closer to Bankruptcy
Stuck in Reverse, Detroit Edges Closer to Bankruptcy
"Signs of decline are everywhere - in a rising crime rate, streets without lights and block after block of abandoned buildings.
The murder rate of one per 1,719 people last year was more than 11 times the rate in New York City.
The jobless rate is above 18 percent, more than twice rate for the country as a whole."
"Signs of decline are everywhere - in a rising crime rate, streets without lights and block after block of abandoned buildings.
The murder rate of one per 1,719 people last year was more than 11 times the rate in New York City.
The jobless rate is above 18 percent, more than twice rate for the country as a whole."
The politics of Fitch’s credit downgrade threat
The politics of Fitch’s credit downgrade threat | NetRight Daily
"Except it has nothing to do with any sort of fiscal brinksmanship by congressional Republicans, but because the deficit is not being significantly reduced.
In its statement, Fitch wrote, “In the absence of an agreed and credible medium-term deficit reduction plan that would be consistent with sustaining the economic recovery and restoring confidence in the long-run sustainability of U.S. public finances, the current negative outlook on the ‘AAA’ rating is likely to be resolved with a downgrade later this year even if another debt ceiling crisis is averted.”"
"Except it has nothing to do with any sort of fiscal brinksmanship by congressional Republicans, but because the deficit is not being significantly reduced.
In its statement, Fitch wrote, “In the absence of an agreed and credible medium-term deficit reduction plan that would be consistent with sustaining the economic recovery and restoring confidence in the long-run sustainability of U.S. public finances, the current negative outlook on the ‘AAA’ rating is likely to be resolved with a downgrade later this year even if another debt ceiling crisis is averted.”"
10 serious downtown Muskegon plans..........
Heard on the Street: 10 serious downtown Muskegon plans, Cutler family legacy and, what's this, possible Sappi sale | MLive.com
• Downtown convention center. In the next two years, I predict that serious conversation and planning will again be under way on a modest-sized convention center space for larger gatherings and exhibitions. The owners of the Shoreline Inn are extremely interested in such a development.
• Relocation of the Farmer’s Market. Yes, that controversial idea of moving the city’s beloved market from Yuba Street to a new facility in the heart of the downtown is gaining momentum behind the scenes as fundraising for what I think is an eye-popping design is under way."
• Downtown convention center. In the next two years, I predict that serious conversation and planning will again be under way on a modest-sized convention center space for larger gatherings and exhibitions. The owners of the Shoreline Inn are extremely interested in such a development.
• Relocation of the Farmer’s Market. Yes, that controversial idea of moving the city’s beloved market from Yuba Street to a new facility in the heart of the downtown is gaining momentum behind the scenes as fundraising for what I think is an eye-popping design is under way."
Monday, January 28, 2013
University Union Wants Contract Through 2023 To Avoid Right-to-Work Law
University Union Wants Contract Through 2023 To Avoid Right-to-Work Law [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"With a year left on its contract, the Western Michigan University's professors' union is trying to get a 9-year extension done by the March deadline that would give union members the right to not pay dues or fees as a condition of employment at the school.
That would lock everyone represented by that union into paying dues or fees until 2023."
"With a year left on its contract, the Western Michigan University's professors' union is trying to get a 9-year extension done by the March deadline that would give union members the right to not pay dues or fees as a condition of employment at the school.
That would lock everyone represented by that union into paying dues or fees until 2023."
Pontiac residents to pay $141 sanitation fee
Pontiac residents to pay $141 sanitation fee | Crain's Detroit Business
" A city official says Pontiac is issuing a $141.59-per-household sanitation fee on winter tax bills.
Finance Director John Naglick told The Oakland Press that the fee is necessary because of a shortfall in the sanitation fund and the city's shrinking tax base.
He said it's "really indicative of the fact that our taxable value has fallen so greatly in Pontiac, so we're not bringing in enough from the sanitation millage to cover the $4.4 million in expenses.""
" A city official says Pontiac is issuing a $141.59-per-household sanitation fee on winter tax bills.
Finance Director John Naglick told The Oakland Press that the fee is necessary because of a shortfall in the sanitation fund and the city's shrinking tax base.
He said it's "really indicative of the fact that our taxable value has fallen so greatly in Pontiac, so we're not bringing in enough from the sanitation millage to cover the $4.4 million in expenses.""
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